Heidi Costello

Last updated
Heidi Costello
Hollyoaks character
HeidiCostello2011.png
Portrayed by Kim Tiddy
Duration2010–2011
First appearance20 July 2010
Last appearance1 November 2011
Classification Former; regular
Introduced by Paul Marquess
In-universe information
Other namesHeidi Blissett
OccupationModel (before 2010)
Pub landlady (2010–2011)
Businesswoman (2010–2011)
Father Silas Blissett
MotherJoan Blissett
Sisters Wendy Blissett
Husband Carl Costello (until 2011)
Sons Riley Costello
Seth Costello
Jason Costello
Stepdaughters Jem Costello (until 2011)
Grandsons Bobby Costello
Phoenix Costello
GrandmothersNancy Blissett
Aunts Trish Minniver
First cousins Mitzeee Minniver
Maxine Minniver
Other relatives Minnie Minniver

Heidi Costello (also Blissett) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks , played by Kim Tiddy. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 2010 and made her final appearance in the series on 1 November 2011, after Heidi was accidentally murdered by her father, Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle), in which he mistakes her for Lynsey Nolan (Karen Hassan).

Contents

Character creation and casting

On 12 April 2010, media entertainment website Digital Spy reported that a new family, the Costellos, would be introduced to Hollyoaks as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation. [1] Former The Bill actress Kim Tiddy was cast in the role of ex-model Heidi Costello. Paul Opacic was cast as her husband, Carl and Rob Norbury, Miles Higson and Victoria Atkin were cast as her three children, Riley, Seth and Jasmine. [1] [2] Heidi was described as a "headstrong mother" [1] and "more than able to hold her own". [3] Of the castings, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess stated: "We can't wait for this huge new boost of energy exploding on screen. These exciting new characters join our fantastic core cast. Together they will ensure that 2010 will be a year to remember on Hollyoaks." [1] Tiddy received the role without an audition having previously worked with Marquess on The Bill. [4] She is three years younger than the character she is portraying. [4]

In October 2011, Tiddy confirmed to Inside Soap that she was leaving Hollyoaks. [5] Of her departure, she said "I've got a great exit storyline, so that's something to look out for." [5]

Development

Characterisation

Channel 5's soap opera reporting website Holy Soap describe Heidi as "glamorous and strong-minded". [6] Kris Green of Digital Spy described her as "strong, glamorous and slightly insecure". [4] Speaking of her character, Tiddy stated, "She's an extremely strong woman. She's got a lot of inner strength. She's completely in love with her husband and loyal to her family." [4]

Storylines

Heidi first appears in Hollyoaks when she views The Dog in the Pond public house with husband Carl. Heidi, Carl and sons Riley and Seth move to Chester after Carl purchases The Dog in the Pond. Heidi fires barmaid Cheryl Brady (Bronagh Waugh) after she flirts with Carl. Heidi sees stepdaughter Jem (Helen Russell-Clark) and persuades her to talk to Carl. Heidi and Carl's daughter Jasmine returns from America and moves to Chester. When Heidi's cousin Mitzeee (Rachel Shenton) arrives they organise a charity fashion show and Charlotte Lau (Amy Yamazaki) offers Heidi the SU bar for the event. Heidi visits Cindy Cunningham's (Stephanie Waring) boutique Cincerity and asks her to showcase her clothes at the fashion show for a challenge. At the fashion show, Heidi wins the challenge. When Mitzeee speaks to Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) through her microphone, Heidi hears that she had sex with Carl. She forgives Carl after he tells her that he had sex with Mitzeee before they moved to Chester. She also forgives Mitzeee.

Heidi purchases Cincerity with Gabby Sharpe (Phina Oruche) acting as a silent partner. Heidi becomes a school governor at Hollyoaks High School. When Jem pays Mitzeee to have sex with Carl, Heidi finds Mitzeee with Jem's ex-boyfriend Liam McAllister (Chris Overton) and realises that Jem wanted Mitzeee to have sex with Carl. When Jasmine tells Heidi that she is a transgender boy and wants to be called Jason, Heidi is shocked and refuses to accept her condition. Heidi's father Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle) arrives for Christmas and Heidi persuades Jasmine to wear girls clothing whilst he is staying. Silas gives Jasmine a bracelet, which causes Jasmine to reveal the truth. Heidi takes Jasmine to a clinic to understand her condition. Heidi is angry when the counsellor Michael Chadwick (Alan French) encourages Jasmine. After Heidi argues with Jasmine, Jasmine runs off and runs into an oncoming car, which is being driven by Bart McQueen (Jonny Clarke). Heidi accepts Jasmine is now Jason after a confrontation with Bart. Whilst Heidi is preparing a family meal, she burns herself with boiling water and goes to Dee Valley Hospital. Heidi's chest is scarred as a result.

Gaz Bennett (Joel Goonan) finds employment at The Dog in the Pond and becomes attracted to Heidi. After Carl becomes distant from Heidi, Gaz comforts her and they kiss. Heidi then decides to fire Gaz, but she decides against it after he tells her how important the job is to him. When Carl finds a shirt that Heidi has bought, he assumes that she is having an affair and asks Gaz spy on her. Doug Carter (PJ Brennan) asks Heidi for help organising a stag weekend and Gaz tells Carl. An angry Carl assumes that they are having an affair and attacks Doug, but Heidi tells him he is wrong. Carl arranges for himself and Heidi to stay at a hotel for the night as an apology for neglecting her. Heidi goes ahead whilst Carl attends a meeting. She receives a call informing her that Carl is waiting for her. When Heidi goes to meet him, she sees Gaz and realises that he has pretended to be Carl. She flirts with Gaz and they have sex. Gaz then takes a photo of himself and Heidi in bed on his mobile phone. Carl calls Heidi telling her that he has arrived and is coming to meet her. Both Heidi and Gaz get dressed and Gaz hides as Heidi and Carl go down to the bar. Gaz leaves the hotel room, forgetting to retrieve the watch that Carl gave him. Rae Wilson (Alice Barlow) finds the photo on Gaz's phone and sends it to Heidi. Gaz discovers that Rae sent the photo and Heidi hears them arguing. Rae tells Heidi she sent the photo to protect her and Heidi deletes it. Gaz's watch is then delivered by a courrier and is given to Jason, who questions Gaz as to why it was in the hotel room. Gaz admits to Jason that he slept with Heidi. Jason responds by hitting Gaz but is interrupted by Carl. Carl questions Jason, who demands Heidi to tell the truth. Heidi then tells Carl that she slept with Gaz.

When Riley becomes engaged to pregnant Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) Heidi makes frenemies with Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane) as they often clashed on how to plan the wedding. During the wedding, it is revealed that Mercedes and Carl had a four-month affair, leaving Heidi devastated that he'd cheat on her again. She is comforted by Jason and Seth, and walks out keeping her head held high to retain some dignity. Heidi is unaware that after the wedding, Silas kidnapped Mercedes and is currently holding her hostage in the basement under the Dog in the Pond. Heidi tells Carl to move out of The Dog and Jason is devastated when Heidi tells him that her and Carl were getting a divorce and storms out.

For Halloween, Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) invites Heidi and Riley to "Fright Night" in Chez Chez. Heidi excitedly gets ready for the party and is disappointed when Riley decides not to go, although she reminds Riley and Seth how much she loves them both. Later on, Heidi goes to the party dressed as 'Catwoman', unaware that Lynsey Nolan (Karen Hassan) and Texas are wearing the same costume. However that same night, Silas, who has been murdering various girls in the village, has vowed to strike again. As Heidi walks to Chez Chez, Silas grabs her, mistaking her for Lynsey, and hits her over the head with a brick before strangling her to death. As he throws her body to the ground, Silas sees blonde hair under the wig and is visibly distressed when he realises he has murdered his daughter.

Silas is soon arrested for the murders he committed, and the village holds a memorial for all of Silas's victims, including Rae, Rebecca Massey (Daisy Turner) and India Longford (Beth Kingston).

Reception

Heidi's murder gained a nomination in the category of "Best Exit" at the 2012 British Soap Awards. [7] Holy Soap describe Heidi's most memorable moment as "beating manipulative Cindy a fashion challenge." [6] In July 2010, Heidi came fourth in a poll run by the official Hollyoaks website to find viewers favourite member of the Costello family. She received 12.13% of the vote. [8] Heidi's death was voted the biggest OMG moment of the year for a special "Hollyoaks: Best Bits of 2011". [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilly Roach</span> Fictional character from Hollyoaks

Gilly Roach is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Anthony Quinlan. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 October 2005. Gilly was created in 2005 by executive producer David Hanson. Gilly has often been portrayed as a push-over and has a double act partnership with fellow character Rhys Ashworth. His main character traits have been his "nice attitude", with Quinlan branding Gilly in his first five years as a "push-over". He has been labelled a loser and unlucky in love after failed relationships with Jessica Harris, Beth Clement, Cheryl Brady and Jem Costello. In 2009, executive producer Lucy Alan made changes to the character and reached a mutual agreement with Quinlan to shave off his hair, which has characterised Gilly during his early years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheryl Brady</span> UK soap opera character, created 2008

Cheryl Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bronagh Waugh. The character first appeared on-screen on 24 November 2008, during the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off Hollyoaks Later, as the former love interest of Malachy Fisher. She made her first appearance in main Hollyoaks episodes in July 2009, introduced to the serial by series producer, Lucy Allan. In 2010 when Paul Marquess began producing the serial, he felt that Cheryl was being used in the wrong way, subsequently making her a central character to the show. It was announced on 1 February 2013 that Waugh quit her role. Cheryl departed Hollyoaks on 22 March 2013, after four years on the show, along with her brother, Brendan Brady.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India Longford</span> UK soap opera character, created 2009

India Longford is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Beth Kingston. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 September 2009 and was introduced by series producer Lucy Allan as a new student at Hollyoaks Community College. Kingston was given the role after she entered and won an online competition run by Hollyoaks Desperately Seeking. In November 2010, it was announced that India would be murdered. India was murdered by Silas Blissett on 23 December 2010. India returned briefly in 2011 and 2012. Kingston has stated that she was happy to leave the show before being typecast in the role. India has been portrayed as a "posh bird" and is narrow-minded, having a tendency to "rub people up the wrong way". She is also described as sensible and "strait-laced".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dog in the Pond</span> Fictional public house in Hollyoaks

The Dog in the Pond is a fictional public house in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. It has been at the centre of the show's setting since it began in 1995. In 2003, The Dog in the Pond was nominated as the "Best TV Boozer of All Time" in a poll run by Blackthorn Cider. The pub was burnt down in episodes airing in September 2006 during the 'Fire at The Dog', which killed five regular characters. The fire was named as one of soap's biggest disasters by the Daily Record in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jem Costello</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Jem Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Helen Russell-Clark. She made her first on-screen appearance on 5 March 2010. It was later announced that Jem had been written out of the serial, and the character would leave in November 2010. Russell-Clark made her final appearance as Jem on 30 November 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Costello</span> UK soap opera character, debuted in 2010

Carl Costello is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Paul Opacic. The character was introduced by executive producer Paul Marquess and he debuted on screen during the episode broadcast on 19 July 2010. Carl arrived in the village as the new owner of The Dog in the Pond and the father of established character Jem Costello. Carl departed from Hollyoaks on 1 December 2011 with his son Jason Costello. Opacic later reprised his role and returned to Hollyoaks on 26 September 2012 and left again on the 5 October 2012. Opacic reprised his role once more in January 2013, which coincided with the exit of Mitzeee Minniver. He returned on 25 January 2013 and departed again on 15 February 2013. Opacic returned again for a guest appearance on 10 July 2018, which ended in his character being murdered by an unknown assailant on 11 July of that year. He reappeared via a flashback on 16 November 2018, which revealed Breda McQueen to be his killer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riley Costello</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Riley Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rob Norbury. Riley was introduced on 20 July 2010 with the Costello family as part of a cast overhaul of the series. In December 2011, the serial's executive producer Emma Smithwick said that Riley would remain in Hollyoaks despite his family's departure. On 14 September 2012, it was announced Riley was to leave Hollyoaks and Riley was killed off in a shooting during the episode airing 3 October 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seth Costello</span> Character from Hollyoaks, created 2010

Seth Costello is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Miles Higson. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 July 2010. His first major storyline was in 2011 when he was the centre of a steroids storyline. He also became involved in the storyline where his father Carl Costello began an affair with Mercedes McQueen. 2020 saw the return of Seth, when he blackmailed the McQueen family with grandfather Silas Blissett. He departed again on 2 February 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitzeee Minniver</span> Fictional character from Hollyoaks

Anne "Mitzeee" Minniver is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rachel Shenton. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 July 2010. Mitzeee was created by series producer Paul Marquess for a different television series which was never commissioned and instead introduced his ideas onto Mitzeee. She is also one of the first characters created in Marquess's 2010 reinvention of Hollyoaks. Mitzeee is a wannabe glamour model and WAG, she is portrayed as being ruthless in achieving her goals and is fame driven. Shenton helped create her backstory and has stated on different occasions that Mitzeee uses femininity to get what she wants. Various media outlets drew comparisons to the character with pop star Cheryl Cole and Mitzeee spells her career name with triple e's because she finds her name plain, a tag Shenton has also agreed with. On 20 December 2012, it was announced that Shenton had left the show and her final scenes aired on 15 February 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendan Brady</span> Soap opera character

Brendan Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Emmett J. Scanlan. The character was introduced on 5 August 2010 by series producer Paul Marquess during part of the show's overhaul, and became one of Hollyoaks' most popular characters. He is easily recognised by his famous horseshoe moustache. He is the older half-brother of already established character Cheryl Brady. Following the announcement of Brendan's casting, he was quickly billed as the show's new "bad boy" character. Despite having the persona of a villain at the start of the show, as the show progressed the character was portrayed to be more of a tragic antihero. He made his final appearance on 22 March 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bart McQueen</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Bart McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jonny Clarke. He first appeared onscreen at his stepmother's funeral in August 2010, introduced by producer Paul Marquess as a member of the McQueen family. During his time on the show, Bart had been involved in: relationships with Jason Costello and Sinead O'Connor, being stabbed during the third series of Hollyoaks Later, his involvement in Esther Bloom's bullying storyline, causing the bus crash featuring in the notable Enjoy the Ride storyline, and falling off the rails with a growing cannabis habit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Costello</span> Fictional character from Hollyoaks

Jason Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Victoria Atkin. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 August 2010 and was introduced by series producer Paul Marquess as a member of the yet to be established Costello family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Longford</span> UK soap opera character (created 2010)

Texas Savage is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 May 2010. Texas was introduced by producer Paul Marquess as the on-screen sister of India Longford. Texas was initially portrayed as a "quite light and quite daft" character. Her first main storyline began in the aftermath of India's murder, her subsequent grief storyline and later being targeted by Silas Blissett. Texas has also featured in the online spin-off series, Hollyoaks: Freshers. In February 2013 it was announced that Texas would depart the serial as she was murdered in a "whodunit" storyline. She departed in a flashback on 13 May 2013 after it was revealed her husband, Will Savage, had pushed her out of the window at the wedding venue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynsey Nolan</span> UK soap opera character, created 2008

Lynsey Nolan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Karen Hassan. The character originally appeared in the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off Hollyoaks Later. In 2010, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess asked Hassan to join Hollyoaks as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation, to which she agreed and the character began appearing in the main show from 11 August 2010. Hassan left Hollyoaks in 2012 when her character was killed off during a "dramatic cliffhanger" episode. To surprise the audience, the actress's exit was not announced beforehand. Hassan's final scenes were broadcast on 21 August 2012, giving viewers the "ending they were looking for".

Hollyoaks began airing on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 23 October 1995. The show targeted teenagers and initially dramatised the lives of seven teenagers living in Hollyoaks, a fictional suburb in the city of Chester in Cheshire, England.

<i>Hollyoaks Later</i> series 3 Season of television series

The third series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series ran on E4 and began on 25 October 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silas Blissett</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Silas Blissett is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeff Rawle. Rawle's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that he would portray a serial killer. Rawle was approached by Hollyoaks and met with series producer, Paul Marquess, who explained the role of Silas and his storyline. Rawle found the storyline something which he would like to "have a crack at". The actor said that the role of Silas is "very interesting" for him as he had not played a murderer in his career before. He made his first on-screen appearance in episode 2979, originally broadcast on 23 December 2010. However, Silas departed for the first time on 4 November 2011. Silas returned on 19 July 2012, as a guest stint. Silas returned again in 2016 as well as making two further returns in 2020 and 2022 with this being his last return as he was killed-off in a final showdown with the McQueens.

<i>Hollyoaks Later</i> series 4 Season of television series

The fourth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series aired in September 2011 at 10pm. The series revolved around Silas Blissett's search for another murder victim which culminated in the death of Rae Wilson, the stag do of Riley Costello, the hen party of Mercedes McQueen and Ricky Campbell and Duncan Button's trip to fat camp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Carter</span> British soap opera character

Doug Carter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by PJ Brennan. Brennan initially appeared as Doug in the programme's online spin-off series Hollyoaks: Freshers, before his debut in the main show on 13 September 2010. He appeared in 5 episodes before returning on 13 January 2011 as a regular character.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Green, Kris (12 April 2010). "'Hollyoaks' announces raft of new castings". Digital Spy . Hachette Filipacchi UK . Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  2. Green, Kris (1 July 2010). "'Hollyoaks' to tackle Gender Dysphoria". Digital Spy . (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  3. "Hollyoaks reveals new signings". Holy Soap . Five. 13 April 2010. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Green, Kris (9 July 2010). "Kim Tiddy (Heidi Costello, 'Hollyoaks')". Digital Spy . Hachette Filipacchi UK . Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Stop Press!". Inside Soap (40). Hachette Filipacchi UK: 19. 8–14 October 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Holy Soap > Hollyoaks > Cast > Heidi Costello". Channel Five . (RTL Group). Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  7. Kilkelly, Daniel (5 April 2012). "British Soap Awards 2012: Full viewer and panel shortlist revealed". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  8. Norman, Christopher T. (20 July 2010). "Hot Topic: The Costellos". E4 . (Channel 4 Television Corporation). Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  9. "#HBB2011: The Winners". E4 . (Channel 4 Television Corporation). 21 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.